Your 40s are halftime for money goals. This guide shows how to reset retirement targets, curb lifestyle creep, erase high-interest debt, fortify insurance, and fine-tune tax and investment strategies—so you arrive at 50 with confidence and momentum.

A simple year end tune up for real households. In a few clear steps, confirm your tax payments, capture every workplace match, decide on IRA and Roth options, make the most of HSA or FSA benefits, enroll for health coverage on time, and check whether the Saver’s Credit applies. We also touch on smart giving, using the 0% gains bracket, boosting 529 savings, and energy credits, so you start the new year organized and confident.

A focused December roadmap for complex wealth. We cover the moves that matter before December 31—dialing in safe harbor payments, sequencing deductions, evaluating PTET, tightening trust administration, using the 65 day rule, optimizing charitable strategy, and selecting assets for lifetime exclusion gifts. Treat it as a menu, then coordinate with your CPA and attorney so cash flow, taxes, and giving all point the same direction for 2026.